NJF Meet and Greet Opening Day Trout April 5, 2014:

[AndyS]

Once again it’s time to meet up for opening day of trout season. This year should be a little better than previous years since Fish and Game will be putting 80 million trout in the Raritan river. Maybe, just maybe someone can catch a stocked trout on opening day on the Raritan river. All of this will be contingent on the weather and river flows. If it is pouring rain or the river is above 19.00 on the gauge you can forget about it. Meet up will be at Duke Island Park, I believe it is parking lot D inside the park. I will bring the kawfee and donuts. I have some left over NJF bumper stickers also. The table will be set up once again for tackle swap, put something down, pick something up. This is not a tournament, flea market or yard sale.
Park opens at sunrise, fishing starts at 8am. If you have little ones with you and you need help, I am sure there will be plenty of people there to help out in trying to get them into some fish also. And as you know there is always the outside chance of getting a smallmouth, walleye, striped bass, or American shad (by catch) when fishing the Raritan river.

Feel free to have your own opening day M&G in your area also if this location isn’t convenient for you, you can use this thread or start a new one.

GPS
191 Old York Road Bridgewater, NJ

http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/dukeisland/dukeislandpk.html

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=phi&gage=bdkn4

[FASTEDDIE29]

I'll be there without a doubt. Going to be an interesting year. YEA BUDDY!!!

[Wilson]

In years past the catching has been exceptionally slow.
With 80 million Trout in the water hopefully the skunk will be squished:D

[Mikey topaz]

I might come just for the bumper sticker!!!

[JimmyMas]

Can't wait to finally make one of these M&G's. See everyone there.

[kcritch]

I'll be there this year! Great location Andy...10 minutes from my house...Thanks!

[Worksforjerks]

Ill be there!

[maxifsc]

i

[Outofline]

I'll be there!

[Wilson]

I'll be there this year! Great location Andy...10 minutes from my house...Thanks!
I can't wait for the after party at your house:D

[liveitup1.75liter]

Thanx for Blowin my spot up ANDY!! nah its all good man that's literally my back yard thats were im starting!!! Much rather fish with u carzy ppl then all the yahoos.. I call dibs on the bumper sticker and be prepared for some Biggin bronzebacks 2!!!

[kcritch]

I can't wait for the after party at your house:D

No problem dude...I'm always up for an after party!

Oh yeah....It's a $20 cover and BYOB!

See you on the 5th!

[Moz]

I'll be there this year! Great location Andy...10 minutes from my house...Thanks!

I've got about a 2 minute head start on you from the other side of 22.

I'll be there. 2 years in a row opening day doesn't fall on my wife's birthday! :D

[FASTEDDIE29]

It's a tradition to fish for Trout on Opening Day in my book. Keep tradition alive. C'mon over to Dukes guys and gals, if not to catch some fish, than just to say hello. I'll be there around 630-7!!! Man, I LOVE this day. It's a reminder to me that all fish are hungry and ready to go on the hunt after a very, very long winter. See you fine gentlemen out there!!!!

YEA BUDDY!!!!!!!

[Wilson]

No problem dude...I'm always up for an after party!

Oh yeah....It's a $20 cover and BYOB!

See you on the 5th!
So what do I get for my $20.00?
Surf and turf or dogs and kraut.
I'll bring a bottle of Nectar D' Or.

[Jigman13]

That bottle looks delicious... Why haven't I had that yet?!?

And I'll try to make it again this year...

[kcritch]

So what do I get for my $20.00?
Surf and turf or dogs and kraut.
I'll bring a bottle of Nectar D' Or.

You get to watch me and jigman drink that bottle of Single Malt.....and if you catch anything you can have "surf" while standing on my turf.

In all seriousness if the weather is good I got no problem with guys coming back and gettin some pizzas or something and having a few cold ones. Pretty sure the wife wouldn't go for an "indoor" party with you maniacs....actually I'm totally sure of that. Let's play it by ear. If the weather sucks we can always hit a local establishment to celebrate the days success! The Royal Bar on 22 in Branchburg has the best burgers around!

Now I'm pumped to fish and I'm hungry!

[Wilson]

You get to watch me and jigman drink that bottle of Single Malt.....and if you catch anything you can have "surf" while standing on my turf.

In all seriousness if the weather is good I got no problem with guys coming back and gettin some pizzas or something and having a few cold ones. Pretty sure the wife wouldn't go for an "indoor" party with you maniacs....actually I'm totally sure of that. Let's play it by ear. If the weather sucks we can always hit a local establishment to celebrate the days success! The Royal Bar on 22 in Branchburg has the best burgers around!

Now I'm pumped to fish and I'm hungry!


25 Dollar Burgers as Andy calls them!

You get to watch me and jigman drink that bottle of Single Malt.....and if you catch anything you can have "surf" while standing on my turf.

Good line:D


Guess it's time to buy the fishing license and put some new line on the reels.
Hopefully it will not be snowing:eek:

[15FOOTER]

If i can get the day off im comin

[FASTEDDIE29]

Where are all the Trout fishermen? The weather is starting to change, put new line on the ultra lite. It's almost go time!!! YEA BUDDY!!!!

[maxifsc]

ill try to make it

[kcritch]

........put new line on the ultra lite.

Ha....Just loaded up 3 lt rods with new line Sunday. Now just gotta wait until 4/5....or do I? :rolleyes:

Plenty of open areas to pratice for sure....if it aint 12 degrees and snowing! HA! Warmer temps coming after tomorrow boys.

[jimmythegreek]

im hoping to be in the boat fishing the KDC tournament opening day.........but that doesnt look good as of now :( havent put the waders on for opening day in years, they prob leak by now haha

[FASTEDDIE29]

Go down river from the 206 bridge and see what's lurking. You never know. I am a compulsive line changer. Change the line on my reels that are filled with mono like 5 times a year. Gotta love bulk spools.

[GetANet]

X2 I change my line more than my socks!!! :eek:

[kcritch]

X2 I change my line more than my socks!!! :eek:

OK that's gross....HA! I'm the opposite...I only change the line when it runs out....never seem to have a problem with it going bad. I do re-tie alot so I do end up changing my favorite rods at least once a year. Then again I don't fish nearly as much as you guys do....nor do I catch as many fish!

[gwl2oneida]

I tend to forget what I put on what, and when I last changed. I go between xl and my favorite yozuri hybrid soft. Usually I go by how strong it feels on tied knots.

[Jigman13]

Targeting trout in rivers, I only use P-Line CXX. Probably the best line I've ever used for this application. 4 & 6 lb work quiet nicely plus it's super strong sh*t.

Speaking of which, havent spooled up since the fall. Might need to re-up!

[bigfishy]

Go down river from the 206 bridge and see what's lurking. You never know. I am a compulsive line changer. Change the line on my reels that are filled with mono like 5 times a year. Gotta love bulk spools.

Rite there wit ya eddie!!! Some years I change more than others but my go to baitcaster gets respooled about once a month...12lb suffix red ....
Chronic line changersR'us:D

[acaravaglia]

Think ill be up by north west NJ on the opener.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Have the number of fish stocked in the Raritan been updated since the loss of 114,000 trout last week? I'm curious. Buddy of mine was talking with CO Joe last night and word is the Rahway, for example, is not getting the Trout stocked down to Lawrence ave. What's the scoop fellas? NJF&G? Myself and the other fine anglers of NJ are on a need to know basis. Thanx!!!!

P.S. Rain and warmer weather is on the way!!!! YEA BUDDY!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!:D

[Wilson]

Have the number of fish stocked in the Raritan been updated since the loss of 114,000 trout last week? I'm curious. Buddy of mine was talking with CO Joe last night and word is the Rahway, for example, is not getting the Trout stocked down to Lawrence ave. What's the scoop fellas? NJF&G? Myself and the other fine anglers of NJ are on a need to know basis. Thanx!!!!

P.S. Rain and warmer weather is on the way!!!! YEA BUDDY!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!:D
Officer Chris said that there will be no stocking the Raritan south of the 206 bridge.
The 90,000 brookies they killed where the ones that they were going to stock in the Raritan and the Rahway.

[Moz]

So are they stocking the stretch through Duke's with more, same, or less?

Not that I catch the intended species at these meet & greets, but it would be nice to have it happen by accident.

I did my annual spring trip to Cabelas to stock up on new line. With my rod collection seemingly breeding every year its starting to get pricey.:eek:

[Dave B.]

Normally on opening day I'd be on a S.J. pond or lake doing angler surveys. As much a I would enjoy the opportunity to meet some of the good folks on here unfortunately this year I have serious family commitments for that weekend that preclude both of the aforementioned activities. I will however be on a NW Jersey stream float stocking the following Fri and spending the weekend fishing.

As for the current status of the stocking schedule, right now the Freshwater Fisheries staff are and have been scrambling to cope with the logistics of re-configuring nearly the entire stocking schedule in the aftermath of having to euthanize those 114,000 brook trout along with some other issues. Their primary focus at present is on getting the fish in the rivers, lakes ponds and streams in time for the opener. Having to re-shuffle not just the locations and allocations but the truck routes and daily runs as well in such short notice is a bit of a nightmare to put it mildly.

I can assure you that as soon as is realistically possible they will be announcing the updated stocking schedule. As is generally the case some folks will be pleased, some upset and some of us will simply shrug and go fishing with the confidence that next spring things will be pretty much back to normal, with maybe a shift in predominant species.

[AndyS]

Pequest to bury 14 tons of diseased trout at Warren County landfill

But there should be a normal stocking around where we plan on meeting.

[liveitup1.75liter]

I just cant wait to see whos hungry for the funkAjunkAlitis.. I get ppl are exempted from it but I wanna walk up to em' an say, DUDE your really going too eat them.. There Disseized!!! I mite print out 20 copys to scare the yahoos who don't know.. mite be fun.. I pray for rain on sat!!! nothing crazy but cut the ppl number dwn an get the troutys in a frenzy

[Matt D]

Updated allocations from 3/27

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2014/trout_allocation14-sched.pdf

10,050 trout downstream of the duke island park falls with a possible stocking weeks 2 and 3 if fish are available.

[AndyS]

Thanx for the update.

[acaravaglia]

Anyone know if they are doing broad stocking this year? Nothing like a 6 lb. brown on the other end of the line.

[Jigman13]

Anyone know if they are doing broad stocking this year? Nothing like a 6 lb. brown on the other end of the line.

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bonus_brdstk14.htm

[Wilson]

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/IMG_7044.jpg


Just felt like posting this archive photo.

[Kamil88]

That's a awesome photo man do you own it?

[Moz]

Andy is the kid in the photo. He still wears that hat.


:p

[Matt D]

Raritan will also be receiving trout week 2. 13,400 more. lots of fish to be had!!

[dboyd101]

So I'll be the jerk that asks.. Is Saturday still going down? I'd like to try to make it out and take home my second njf championship trophy..

[kcritch]

So I'll be the jerk that asks.. Is Saturday still going down? I'd like to try to make it out and take home my second njf championship trophy..

I'll be there...never did opening day before so I'm really looking forward to the madness!!! If the river is flooded and aint cooperating....well besically it will be no different than many times I've fished the river so I don't care! :D

And ther's always the "Go Get a Pork Roll Egg and Cheese Sammich" option! Tasty!

[FASTEDDIE29]

I'll be there to chit chat around 7am. Waters going to be too high for Trout. Off to the falls I go after a nice morning coffee with the NJF crew. After that I'm going to check out the catching at Nomehegan. Want to find out how the Trout are doing so far. Going to be a great day out with nice weather.

[Mike M]

Hope to meet you there about seven. Conditions don't look too good but it should be a good morning to have some coffee and meet some of the NJF crew

[AndyS]

Water will be high so stick close to the banks. I was hoping for flows below 19.00 but it looks like they are going to be around 21.00

[SkillfulAngler908]

How much rain are we supposed to get tomorrow? The river looks pretty normal now, i guess it all depends on what happens tomorrow. Either way Gatto and I are going to try to swing by on Sat, not sure how much we'll fish there but im in for a coffee with Fasteddie.

[dboyd101]

could turn it into an early season bass throw down if the water is too high... any lakes close by? I could bring an extra kayak...

[maxifsc]

it looks like its going to be raining all day tomorrow

[shrimpman steve]

You guys are meeting too far away for me. Besides, my spots been loaded for me. Nice to have friends

[zhitoman]

Is this rain going to affect the fishing tomorrow?

[FASTEDDIE29]

Is this rain going to affect the fishing tomorrow?

Yes sir! Water will be higher than normal but you never know. Lots of different species in the Big R to catch!

For those of you coming out for a coffee and a cast, see you tomorrow.
YEA BUDDY!!! TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[Mike M]

Yes sir! Water will be higher than normal but you never know. Lots of different species in the Big R to catch!

For those of you coming out for a coffee and a cast, see you tomorrow.
YEA BUDDY!!! TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

See you in the AM.

[njfisherman1975]

I have opening day baseball for my son tomorrow...so best of luck to the guys and gals getting out tomorrow!

[Wilson]

From what I am seeing, the river is flowing a little above 19 feet at the ex-Calco dam. Not too horrible.

[liveitup1.75liter]

Sorry to inform you im bailin out and taking my boss's 11 yr old for his first opener ever at the bonus stock pond.. Treat my back yard with respect boys and catch em up b4 the cormorant's eat em all..

PS thank you to all the Game Wardens who are keeping after the illegals!!

going for the 30 lb stringer laterrrrrrr

[FASTEDDIE29]

Tradition continues! OPENING DAY TROUT 2014!!! I wouldn't miss this day for anything, birds are chirping, Trout are jumping. It's going to be a glorious day. Opening day isn't just about the Trout, it's a sign of things to come. Warmer weather and fish finally turn the FEEDBAGS ON! CHEERS to you fine anglers! Good luck out there. See you soon!

TIGHT LINEZ!!!!!!
YEA BUDDY!!!!!!!!

[NJ Dave]

The rain in bergen co stopped just after 1 am. Water is high and brown.
just got in from work.
Good night and good luck to all. See yule after lunch.

[Wilson]

Well it was nice to see or meet and greet the large gathering of guys and one gal today.
Water high and fast, but not to too dirty. The flat areas by the shoreline was the place to fish...and catch.
I snagged a Sucker, caught a 12'' Brown and a Smalley
I had a lighter and tape measure but ahh who cares!

Lots of free stuff for the taking and piles of donuts and cawfee too.

Wind is really blowing now, time fo a nap.


http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/IMG_7735.jpg


http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/IMG_7736.jpg



KKritch's first brown trout from a river.

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/598dc9bb-8795-4085-99f7-986e85134179.jpg










Smalley caught by yours truly.

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/a800e4b6-7486-45f1-bda8-be74f61f31e0.jpg

[Moz]

Good seeing everyone today. River was moving fast but I managed to squeek out a brown trout on the day.

Wilson had the fish of the day with a foul-hooked sucker. Nicely done Wilson!
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o4/horatiorimshot/IMG_4144_zpsda85cd17.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/horatiorimshot/media/IMG_4144_zpsda85cd17.jpg.html)

Oh and he caught a bronzeback too.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o4/horatiorimshot/IMG_4145_zpsffaa5ce4.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/horatiorimshot/media/IMG_4145_zpsffaa5ce4.jpg.html)

[bigfishy]

SWEET smallie!!! Glad all had fun and there was some catching....
Was the smallie on bait wilson???

[JimmyMas]

Was a pleasure to meet some of the guys who post up here all the time. Only stayed at the park for about an hour when my ADD kicked in and started moving from spot to spot. Nothing doing for me and my bud Dennis. Once the water goes down should be fun. Looking forward to this years fish stories! Good luck all.

[Wilson]

SWEET smallie!!! Glad all had fun and there was some catching....
Was the smallie on bait wilson???
1/4 oz. gold blade PM with black body and yellow dots.
Had no bait with me today:eek:

[acabtp]

good to see that at least a couple trout were caught at this year's outing
and nice smallie wilson!

[AndyS]

Thanks to everyone who came out to help me kick off the official unofficial 2014 fishing season. Table was almost empty when I left.

[bigfishy]

1/4 oz. gold blade PM with black body and yellow dots.
Had no bait with me today:eek:

Well done sir, well done....Will do my best tomorrow to have a smallie worthy of posting....Did'nt make it out today...Lots a shh goin on and weather did'nt peek my interest, but gr8 job to ALL that ventured out and gave it there all

[FASTEDDIE29]

Good to see all the fellas swarm into Dukes park for some fizzin. Always a good time. Nice catches guys. I myself through some bigger lures on the River looking for something other than Trout. My group bounced around a lot throwing everything we had in our boxes. We struck out on the BIG R but had fun trying!

We doubled back to some pristine UC waters and nailed tons of Browns. Everyone caught something and came back to my house for a BBQ. Beers, Burgers and Brats for all. No Trout on the grill, we released all of them in hopes that the fishing will last a while close to home. Another Opening Day in the books.

YEA BUDDY!!! TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[Gerry Zagorski]

Sounds like you all had a great turn out. Nice job putting this together Andy...

Nice Smallie Wilson. That PM is my all time favorite spinner.